Sue Ferns, Director of Communications and Research at Prospect, said: “We hope the government’s announcement will shine a light on a vital area of employment and growth for UK Plc. The focus on getting more women into STEM careers is particularly welcome, and something Prospect has been campaigning assiduously on.

“However, we’d like to see the government and all political parties recognise the scale of the problem by signing up to the Prospect Pledge on women in STEM. At present, just 13% of women work in STEM careers. By committing to a 30% target by 2020 the government would be showing the greater level of ambition which we believe is needed.”

Prospect has been working hard to raise the profile of women in STEM. Over 100 cross-party politicians supported a 30% target by the year 2020 at events at Westminster, Holyrood, The Senedd and Stormont in recent months. The union also produced a ‘Prospect pioneers’ calendar featuring women in male-dominated industries.

Sue Ferns added: “The government has a good array of businesses involved in today’s announcement, which is also very welcome. But we would like to see the government showing long-term leadership with a minister-led working group, involving businesses, unions and government departments to make this a truly joined up initiative.”

For more information about the Prospect Pledge, visit www.prospect.org.uk/prospectpledge.